A study of microRNAs from dried blood spots in newborns after perinatal asphyxia: a simple and feasible biosampling method

作者：Ponnusamy Vennila; Kapellou Olga; Yip Ellen; Evanson Jane; Wong Liang Fong; Michael Titus Adina; Yip Ping K^*; Shah Divyen K

来源：Pediatric Research, 2016, 79(5): 799-805.

DOI：10.1038/pr.2015.276

BACKGROUND:The potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as bedside biomarkers in selecting newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) for neuroprotection has yet to be explored. Commonly, blood-based biomarker tests use plasma or serum which don't allow evaluation of both intracellular and extracellular changes.
METHODS: We describe a technique to extract and compare expression of miRNAs from a single small 6-mm-diameter dried blood spot (DBS) stored at room temperature with those from EDTA-blood, plasma, and urine. Three miRNAs (RNU6B, let7b, and miR-21) were quantified via extraction and quantitative RT-PCR performed from a DBS and compared with levels from EDTA-blood, plasma, and urine. Secondarily, candidate miRNAs let7b, miR-21, miR-29b, miR-124, and miR-155 in DBS were evaluated as potential biomarkers for HIE.
RESULTS: Candidate miRNAs were extractable in all biosamples from newborns, with the highest expression in DBS. There was a good correlation between miRNAs' levels in DBS and EDTA-blood at -80 degrees C. No significant difference was observed in the miRNA levels between the favorable and unfavorable outcome groups for babies with HIE.
CONCLUSION: DBS may be useful for studying the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for brain injury.

• 出版日期2016-5